INDUSTRY THIS WEEK IN BRIEF
micro-reaction vessel
New construction GAF Corp. plans to substantially increase capacity for producing propargyl alcohol, 1,4-butynediol, and 1,4-butanediol at its Texas City, Tex., high-pressure acetylene chemicals plant. Capacity figures have not been disclosed. Construction is planned to begin early next year, with completion slated for 1971.
Water determinations in 4 minutes (including micro) 1PPM to 100% Water. L/I's inexpensive Karl Fischer Aquametry Apparatus precisely determines water content of most chemicals, drugs, feeds, foods, petroleum products, coatings, freeze-dried materials—virtually any material. L/I's versatile apparatus uses either the original K-F reagent bottle as a reservoir. The "reaction vessel" is an ordinary 4 oz., commonly available, disposable "cream" jar. It is interchangeable with a micro-reaction vessel requiring less than 2cc total reaction volume for microaquametry applications. No false end points are possible with L/I's color-coded electrode indicator. A two-lambda excess of K-F reagent in a 100 ml methanol reaction is detectable. The apparatus includes 1 and 25 ml dual buret for high accuracy over the entire range of the instrument —without adjustment. Price: $340 complete. Components available separately. For more details, please fill in and return coupon. Name Organization Street
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i»LABINDUSTRIES The Error Eliminators
1802V Second St., · Berkeley, Calif., 94710 Phone (415) 843-0220 · Cable LABIND, Berkeley, Cal. (USA) 16 C&EN NOV. 3, 1969
Mobil Chemical Co. has completed expansion of its polybutylene resin (polybutene-1) semiworks at Beaumont, Tex., that more than doubled previous capacity of about 1 million pounds of resin annually. Production based on Mobil-developed process using butene-1 as starting material. G.R.T.L. Co., joint venture of PPG Industries and Union Carbide, is nearing completion of research and pilot plant facilities near New Kensington, Pa. The new facility will be directed at developing manufacturing processes for Azdel, family of glass fiberreinforced thermoplastic sheets.
Corporate Union Camp has moved its corporate headquarters from New York City to Wayne, N J . The company, one of the largest makers of forest-based products in the U.S., estimates 1969 sales at $450 million. It has 43 plants in the U.S. and has six additional ones under construction. Process Combustion Corp., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., has been formed jointly by Bloom Engineering Co., Pittsburgh, and Urquhart Engineering Co., Ltd., London. New company will serve several industries involved with combustion-oriented problems. Pennzoil Pipeline Co. has been formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of United Gas Pipe Line Co. New company will include 1016-mile pipeline system in the Texas Gulf Coast area. UGPL is a subsidiary of Pennzoil United, Inc. Computer Measurements, Inc., an electronic instrumentation company
in Gardena, Calif., plans to acquire Densitronics, Inc., an Ohio manufacturer of nuclear isotope-powered density gages.
International Nederlandse Cyanamid Maatschappij, N.V., a subsidiary of American Cyanamid, has completed multimillion-dollar specialty chemicals plant at Botlek complex near Rotterdam. Products to be made at new plant include ultraviolet absorbers for plastics; optical brighteners for detergents, paper, and textiles; surface-active agents for textiles, dyes, paint, and rubber; and antioxidants for polymers. Chesebrough-Pond's, Inc., has purchased for cash a majority interest in International Chemical & Cosmetic Co., a major maker of cosmetics, toiletries, and pharmaceuticals in Italy. Ralph E. Ward, president of the U.S. company, says the acquisition will probably not have a significant impact on consolidated income of Chesebrough-Pond's, Inc., for this year or next. Asahi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., and PPG Industries have agreed to conduct a study leading to a joint venture in Japan to make and sell glass fiber products. Included in the study will be determination of markets, investments, and costs for a joint operation. Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Japan's largest chemical producer, will increase its capital by $31.1 million to $124.4 million at the end of March 1970. All proceeds from new stock issuance will be applied to finance company's expansion program. Sumitomo's capital expenses will amount to $100 million in 1969 and $110 million in 1970. Universal Oil Products has acquired interest in nickel deposits on the island of Palawan, the Philippines. Calumet & Hecla, a UOP subsidiary, will evaluate deposits held by Rio Tuba Nickel Corp. Nickel, currently in short supply, is used in some special alloys made by UOP.
